Ryder: Chelsea are back in talks with Demba Ba

Talks over the proposed £7million switch broke down earlier this week, but Ryder says the deal is not dead in the water.

He admits, however, it will leave a huge hole for the Magpies to fill if Ba does leave for London.

He said: "It will be a big blow. You can’t just pluck goalscorers out of the sky. They cost so much money and to lose him for such a low fee will be devastating. I think they will only get around half of the £7m, and you’re not going to replace him with £3.5m."